Affiliation: Self-Employed
Nomination Committee Evaluation: Well Qualified
Candidate Speech
Nominee Questionnaire
1. Board of Trustees Qualifications and Responsibilities
Please review the ARIN Board of Trustees Expected Qualifications and Responsibilities thoroughly. Please describe, providing specific details, any barriers you foresee to your fully meeting those qualifications and undertaking those responsibilities. A Trustee’s responsibilities have usually required about 5-10 hours per week.
I do not foresee any barriers to fully meeting the qualifications and undertaking the responsibilities as described.
2. Conflicts of Interest
a) Please disclose any conflicts of interest you may have, real or perceived, that would impact your ability to perform your duty as a member of the ARIN Board of Trustees. (If no conflicts, please enter “N/A”)
I am not aware of any conflicts of interest that would impact my ability to perform my duties as a member of the ARIN Board of Trustees
b) How do you propose to resolve any conflicts identified in (a)? (If no conflicts identified, please enter “N/A”)
N/A
c) Are you currently eligible to serve on the Board of Trustees according to the Conflict of Interest Requirements and the eligibility requirements?
Yes
d) If not currently eligible, describe how you will become eligible to serve, if elected (i.e., “If elected, I will resign from the position of ____________ before 31 Dec 2022”). If currently eligible, please enter “N/A”.
N/A
3. Education
a) Please list any degree(s) you received, the institution and the date issued.
- None. I attended Laurentian University in Sudbury, ON, Canada in the B.Sc Computer Science program for 1.5 years before leaving to start a business.
b) Please list any professional designations, certifications, or development education (non-degree) and the dates completed.
- University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management – Not-For-Profit Director Program – 2012
4. Employment and Experience
a) Please provide the name of any company or organization you currently are employed by, or from which you receive directly or indirectly a material portion of your compensation. Please describe the business of each such entity, your current title, and the office address of the organization.
Self Employed – Independent Telecommunications Consultant
Providing management and leadership advice and services to small and medium sized Internet Service Providers and Telecommunications Companies
b) Please refer to the ARIN Board of Trustees Guidance to the 2022 Nomination Committee in answering this question: Please describe your relevant professional experience and expertise and explain how this background will make you an effective trustee.
I have served on the board of ARIN since 2014. During that time, I served as vice chair from 2018-2021 and as chair from late 2021 to present.
I am a graduate of the University of Toronto Rotman School of Business NFP Director program. The program is designed to educate directors or trustees of not-for-profit organizations, like ARIN.
I served on the board of the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) for 9 years. CIRA operates the .ca ccTLD registry. During that time, I served as chair of multiple committees and also as the vice chair of the board. During my time on the board I was involved with two major strategic plans and sat on every committee of the board including the risk committee.
I served as the President of the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC) for six years. CNOC is a trade association that represents independent ISPs and Telecom companies in Canada. Activities included government relations, strategic planning, and many appearances before the CRTC
Outside of the technology space, I have sat on the board of not-for-profit organizations in the community in which I reside.
In my professional capacity, I led a technology company (that was an ARIN member) for 18 years before leading it to a successful acquisition.
My experience as detailed above is diverse, and has provided me with the relevant expertise and experience to serve as an effective trustee.
Attach a resume, curriculum vitae, or other biography highlighting your experience most relevant to the duties of the ARIN Board of Trustees. (PDF, DOC, DOCX files only)
https://arin-elections.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/sandiford_resume.pdf
You may also optionally include additional web links to external websites (e.g., social media), though not as a substitute for your biography. One URL per line.
None provided
5. Governance Experience
a) Please identify any boards on which you currently serve that carry fiduciary duties, whether at a for-profit or non-profit organization. Please note how long you have served and what offices, if any, you have held.
American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) – Non-Profit Organization – 2014-Present
Currently serve as Chair of the Board. Previously served as Vice Chair and Treasurer
b) Please identify any other boards on which you have served in the past 10 years that are not included in answer to (a), listing your dates of service.
- Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) – 2012-2021
- Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC) – 2010-2016
- Toronto Internet Exchange (TorIX) – 2009-2011
- Whitby Minor Hockey Association – 2016-2017
c) What is the role of ARIN’s Board of Trustees?
The Board of Trustees maintains authority over the scope, mission, and along with the President and Chief Executive Officer establishes the strategic direction and fiscal oversight of the organization. Additionally, the Board also has oversight authority of the nomination, appointment, and election of individuals to Board committees and similar roles.
d) How does your past governance experience prepare you to help fulfill that role by serving as an ARIN Trustee?
Over the years I have been involved with the governance of many organizations, including ARIN.
The experience and skillsets that I have gained and demonstrated have prepared me to properly fulfill the role of an ARIN Trustee.
6. Understanding of ARIN’s role in the Internet governance ecosystem
a) What is ARIN’s role in the Internet governance ecosystem?
ARIN manages a critical slice of the Internet in our region and around the world.
ARIN is one of five regional internet registries (RIR). Each RIR follows policies set by their community to delegate internet number resources to their customers. Each RIR serves customers in their own geographic region.
ARIN also participates as a member of the community in various internet governance fora.
b) Describe any past experience or involvement with ARIN or other Internet governance bodies.
Prior to joining the ARIN Board of Trustees in 2014, I was a member of the ARIN Advisory Council from 2009 until 2013.
Outside of ARIN, I was a member of the board of CIRA from 2012 until 2021. Amongst other things, CIRA manages the .ca ccTLD for Canada and is a sizeable contributor to the internet governance ecosystem.
7. Board Discussion Topics
a) Risk Oversight and Management
i) Understanding and overseeing organizational and environmental risk is an important responsibility of Trustees. What do you see as potential risks to the organization, and which are newer risks that have emerged more recently?
One of the main risks that ARIN faces is one that faces almost every organization in the world in the digital age, cybersecurity.
Ensuring that ARINs systems, policies, and procedures are secure and resistant to cyber threats is critical.
Some of the other risks that ARIN faces are ensuring the integrity of not only ARINs registry, but ensuring the integrity and stability of the RIR system as a whole.
Other risks include standard items like financial stability, managing technical debt, and the human resource challenges that have emerged as a result of the pandemic.
ii) How should the Board best discharge its responsibilities regarding risk oversight and management?
A board of directors cannot and should not be involved with the day to day management of risk. However, a board should satisfy themselves that the risk management policies and procedures of the organization are well aligned with the organization’s risk appetite and corporate strategy. Further, as part of its oversight role, the board should ensure that these policies and procedures are being applied by staff and functioning as intended.
iii) How will you contribute to strengthening risk oversight and management at ARIN?
If re-elected I will continue to ensure that the board follows all current best practices with regard to managing risk and risk oversight. This includes ensuring that the proper committees of the board are formed and properly overseeing all aspects of risk to the organization and that risk oversight and management are taken into consideration while setting the strategic direction of the organization.
b) Strategy
i) Supporting and reviewing the strategic direction identified by ARIN’s management, in consultation with its membership, is an important responsibility of Trustees. Based on your understanding of ARIN’s current strategic plan and the environment in which it operates, what opportunities or challenges do you foresee for the organization?
ARINs current strategic plan has four main pillars which guide how the organization operates in an effort to reach its stated goals.
One of those pillars revolves around providing industry leading internet number registry services to its customers. In this area ARIN has great opportunity. Over the coming years ARIN has the opportunity to make a huge positive impact with its customer facing support services and its service delivery approach. The introduction of programs like the Premier Support Plan reinforce ARIN’s commitment to customers in this regard.
However, ARIN does face challenges. One of those challenges is protecting the multi-stakeholder approach and the RIR system. Recent developments in other regions have highlighted this challenge both in the ARIN region and around the world. ARIN must continue to work with its peers to ensure a stable internet number registry system.
ii) How might these challenges and opportunities influence current or future strategic plans?
ARIN’s strategic plan will need to be well defined yet able to adapt and morph to the challenges that the organization faces and the opportunities that present themselves.
With regard to opportunities, the success (or failure) of strategic programs must be taken into account while setting future strategic goals.
When it comes to challenges, ARIN must be sure to set strategic goals that allow the organization to be rigid in areas where it needs to, yet be nimble enough to respond to the various challenges that the organization faces both today and in the future.
iii) Please explain how your background and experience would help in addressing what you believe are ARIN’s greatest challenges.
Over the years my experience, not only with ARIN but also in the professional world and by serving on the board of other non-profit organizations, has given me the skills that are required to tackle ARIN’s challenges.
My participation with numerous organizations over the years has given me much experience when it comes to setting corporate strategies, managing risk, and all levels over oversight that is required to be an effective member of the board of an organization like ARIN.